Dean Holter

California Business Attorney

If you’ve ever met Dean Holter, you know he’s not the stereotypical business lawyer. Clients value him for his calm presence, his ability to explain complex issues in plain English, and his trademark professionalism that never wavers—even when a client opens with, “I should’ve handled this six months ago.” Dean simply smiles and replies, “Great—let’s take care of it now.”

For nearly two decades, Dean has helped entrepreneurs and established companies across California form, protect, and grow their businesses.His clients know him as a steady hand through every storm, the rare lawyer who combines the sharpness of a corporate attorney with the grounded practicality of a Chief Financial Officer.

Building Businesses That Last

Dean has formed more than 200 Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) and Corporations in California and continues to manage the ongoing compliance for many of them. He’s known for turning red tape into clear paths forward—guiding clients through the legal and financial decisions that determine whether a business merely survives or truly thrives.

I love helping business owners turn their ideas into something tangible.

Deep California Roots

A third-generation Bay Area native, Dean graduated from Redwood High School in Marin County, earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, San Diego, and received his Juris Doctorate from the University of San Francisco School of Law. He has been a proud member of the State Bar of California since 2005.

Formation isn’t just about paperwork; it’s about building a foundation strong enough to carry your vision.

California’s entrepreneurial energy runs in his blood. Having seen startups evolve from garage projects to successful companies, Dean thrives on helping founders navigate the state’s complex legal terrain. “California rewards creativity,” he says, “but it punishes carelessness. My job is to make sure innovation has the right legal and financial scaffolding.”

A Career Defined by Experience

Dean has served as both General Counsel and Chief Financial Officer for multiple companies, giving him an uncommon 360° perspective of business operations. He understands how contracts, compliance, taxes, and cash flow connect—and how one wrong move in one area can ripple across the entire enterprise.

Throughout his career, Dean has advised on mergers, acquisitions, venture capital fundraising, regulatory compliance, and public offerings. His approach combines practical business savvy with strategic foresight, helping clients make smart decisions that protect their bottom line and accelerate growth.

A respected voice in his field, Dean has spoken at major industry events including the WealthCounsel Symposium and the Southern California Investor Conference, where he has served as a featured panelist on business law and emerging-market advisory. He has also been a guest on ESPN’s BISTalk Radio for an in-depth interview covering his law practice and his work as General Counsel to select Clients.

Helping California Entrepreneurs Succeed

Dean’s focus isn’t just on the law—it’s on the people building something great within it. His specialties all center on empowering business owners to make confident, informed decisions:

• Choosing the Right Entity: Dean helps clients understand the real-world differences between LLCs, S Corporations, and C Corporations—then structures their business to maximize asset protection and tax efficiency.
• Starting Fast and Right: With over two hundred formations under his belt, Dean guides entrepreneurs through each filing, ensuring they start strong and compliant from day one.
• Staying Legally Sound: Dean helps business owners stay in good standing with the State and IRS, handling filings, documentation, and corporate governance so clients can focus on growth—not government notices.
• General Counsel Guidance: Acting as outside General Counsel, Dean anticipates issues before they become problems, offering solutions grounded in both law and practical business sense.
• Financial Clarity & CFO Services: Dean helps entrepreneurs decode their numbers, create structure, and align financial health with business goals.
• Raising Capital: From crowdfunding and friends-and-family rounds to angel investment, venture capital, and sophisticated private offerings, Dean helps business owners understand every step, every filing, and every opportunity involved in accessing growth capital.

The Practical Partner Every Business Needs

Dean is the calm in the storm—a voice of reason when a deal gets messy, a regulator calls, or the IRS sends a love letter. His clients value his honesty, his humor, and his ability to turn overwhelming complexity into simple, actionable next steps.

“Business owners already carry enough stress,” he says. “I want to be the person who helps them sleep better at night because they know their legal and financial foundation is solid.”

When he’s not guiding clients, Dean enjoys life as a lifelong Californian with a deep appreciation for the region’s innovation and creativity. His mix of legal precision and easygoing personality makes him not just a lawyer to call—but a partner to trust.

On a personal note, Dean is the proud father of three young adult children. A Marin County native, he spends his spare time hiking and mountain biking the same trails he grew up exploring on Mt. Tamalpais. He enjoys the outdoors and the wide range of adventures available throughout the West—from the redwoods and coastline of Northern California to the mountains that span the Western states. Dean is also an avid skier with deep ties to Sun Valley, Idaho, where he lived for many years and helped raise his three children.

Contact Us Today

Diego Alvarez-Miranda and our full team of attorneys can help you with advanced Business, and Tax Planning from any of our offices throughout Northern and Southern California. We offer in-person, phone, and Zoom appointments. Request an appointment online or call (866) 988-3956.